Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. Should you buy using our links, we might receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more here. All opinions expressed by contributors are solely their own.
Passion Prep has probably come up in your search for college admissions help. And as someone who has worked in the admissions consulting field for many years, I want to offer my viewpoint in this Passion Prep review.
I will explain the services they offer, what comes with their deals, and where I believe they excel or fall short.
Pros & Cons (In General)
To decide if PassionPrep.com is the right fit, take a look at this short breakdown of its main pros and cons.
| ✔️ PROS | ❌ CONS |
|---|---|
| A year-long plan with check-ins, small-group sessions, and targeted 1:1 consultations. | Rates and “price change” notes appear across pages and shift over time. |
| Free trainings, a self-paced course, a group bootcamp, and a 1-year 1:1 option. | Third-party, in-depth reviews are limited, with most social proof on their own site. |
| Lots of how-to content (podcast, blog, YouTube) that teaches students. | Third-party, in-depth reviews are limited, with most social proof is on their own site. |
I can say that Passion Prep works best for a student who has a lot of time, energy, and wants a repeatable framework with community touchpoints. Their free content is solid, and the no-guarantee stance is responsible.
That being said, the lack of public information on the larger coaching bench, the difficulty of finding prices, and the small 1:1 allotments are all big problems. You may quickly become tired of the short check-ins.
I suggest using their free training and podcast first, then ask for precise deliverables (such as the number of deep edits, who does them, and how quickly).
I would also recommend comparing PassionPrep with the best college admission consultants to see the real difference.
What Are The Main Admission Consulting Services of Passion Prep?
Passion Prep is based on one main idea: students create a focused “Passion Project” related to their academic interests. Done well, this project can lead to research, cool extracurriculars, and eventually, stronger college apps.
They offer a few different ways to get that support:
Passion Project Bootcamp (Group)
This is their main program. A year-long group track where students get step-by-step guidance, live sessions, and resources to shape their project.
Bootcamp offers monthly small-group Zoom sessions (up to four per month), weekday support, a resource library, and brief one-on-one check-ins (10 minutes, four times a year).
Premier 1-Year Counseling
A more hands-on plan that adds 1:1 Zoom strategy calls, weekly office hours, and unlimited email help for families who want extra personal attention. There are six 30-minute strategy sessions for the year.
Also, for students who like to work on their own schedule, there’s a Teachable course that covers the same Passion Project framework, but without live coaching.
What’s Included in PassionPrep Packages?
From what I’ve seen, each Passion Prep package gives students a set plan for building real admissions traction without overloading them.
The exact help you get varies depending on whether you’re in the self-paced course, the group program, or the one-on-one track. Most deals come with:
- 1️⃣ Monthly live Zoom sessions. These group Q&As happen two to four times a month, depending on the program. You get timely feedback on your Passion Project, extracurriculars, summer plans, and more.
- 2️⃣ Unlimited email support (Mon–Fri). Quick responses to questions so students don’t feel stuck between calls.
- 3️⃣ Library of admissions resources. Multi-unit training modules, college data, worksheets, templates, admissions action lists, resume and LinkedIn tips, and essay strategies.
- 4️⃣ Plug-and-play email templates. Ready-made messages to help you land internships, reach admissions staff, or even publish your project.
The program feels organized to me because it has live coaching, ongoing access to mentors, and many valuable tools. However, how well it works for each student relies on how driven they are.
Who Is on Their Team (Are They Knowledgeable Enough)?
The brand is led by Julie Kim, who studied at USC and Harvard. She hosts a long-running podcast, blog, and appears to be the main public-facing coach. However, based on what I’ve seen, a lot of the material and branding are based on her personal story.
Their pages also reference “Bootcamp Coaches,” but detailed bios for a broader advising bench aren’t front and center on PassionPrep.com.
That part feels a little thin compared to other firms, so I’d ask for resumes and caseloads.
Do They Offer Any Extra Services?
Yes, in addition to the group program and 1:1 track, Passion Prep sells shorter digital products such as Application Accelerator and a Mini-Course on finding your theme.
They also run workshops on mindset and motivation, which some students appreciate. Still, if you’re looking for hardcore essay editing or constant hand-holding through every application, Passion Prep isn’t built for that.
Does Passion Prep Offer Any FREE Services?
Passion Prep gives some materials for free, and there’s more than one way to get access without signing up for a paid program.
Here’s what they’ve got up their sleeve:
- 1️⃣ A downloadable workbook titled “5 Proven Strategies to Get Accepted into Ivy League & Top‑Tier Colleges.” It breaks down basic principles and action steps you can start using right away.
- 2️⃣ Julie and the team post regular YouTube content on topics like building Passion Projects, internship hunting, admissions tips, mindset, and more.
- 3️⃣ Their podcast covers current admissions strategies, mindset advice, and stories from students. It’s completely free.
In addition, their blog is filled with articles on admissions tactics, effective use of extracurriculars, mindset hacks, and firsthand student stories.
Passion Prep Pricing and Guarantees
The prices for Passion Prep aren’t cheap, and they might change over time. As I know from experience, these companies regularly change their prices from year to year.
These are the latest listings for their primary programs:
| Passion Project Bootcamp (Group) | $3,497 for the year (single payment or installments) | The standard group program. |
| Passion Project Bootcamp VIP (Group + Extras) | $4,297 | Adds short one-on-one check-ins and special events. |
| 1-Year 1:1 Program (Accepted Club) | $6,900 | Pricing increase noted on their site; confirm current rate. |
| Self-Paced Course | $497 on Teachable | Covers the framework without live support. |
When it comes to guarantees, experts at Passion Prep don’t promise specific admissions results. In my opinion, that’s actually the right stance, because ethical consultants shouldn’t claim they’ll get you into a specific school.
Their Professionalism in Terms of Passion Prep Reviews
When I searched for Passion Prep’s reviews, here’s what I found.
On PassionPrep.com, they’re full of glowing 5-star testimonials with stories of students getting into Stanford, Harvard, UPenn, and UCLA.
Obviously, those are self-reported reviews hosted by the company.
On Reddit, things get more mixed. One user warns:
On the flip side, several users say the free masterclass or podcast was helpful (without paying).
As you can see, some students felt the paid content was repetitive or not worth the price, while others found value, especially in the free offerings.
Areas of Passion Prep That They Should Work On
Like any admissions service, Passion Prep has some weak spots:
❌ Pricing Clarity
Families shouldn’t have to chase Instagram notes, terms pages, and sales pages to find the current price. I’d like to see a transparent pricing hub that shows what’s included at each tier.
❌ Over-Reliance on One Personality
Julie Kim is clearly the face of the brand, but I would like to see more transparency about the qualifications of other team members.
❌ Limited Essay Support
Some students need brute-force essay triage and realistic school-list work more than a new project. Reddit threads also show mixed takes on whether a “Passion Project” is necessary.
In my opinion, the model helps motivated builders, but it’s not a cure-all.
❌ Not Enough Test Prep Integration
Some families want a one-stop shop that includes SAT/ACT support, but Passion Prep doesn’t cover that area.
❌ Marketing vs. Reality
The success stories are impressive, but as I know from general practice, not every student will end up at Yale or Stanford. The glossy testimonials might set unrealistic expectations.
Our Verdict
Passion Prep takes a unique method that really does help some students stand out. Their projects, driven by passion, can show leadership and authenticity, which is a good thing for college admissions. I don’t see them as a full-service admissions company, though. They are more of a niche service.
Families should think about the flaws, which include the high cost, the big group format, and the lack of specific team openness.
So, Passion Prep can be an excellent fit for self-driven students. But if you want intense help with your essays, constant 1:1 attention, or broad academic support, look at other choices first.
❔ FAQ
What is the cost of Passion Prep packages?
Passion Prep pricing starts at about $497 for the self-paced course, with group bootcamps around $3,497–$4,297, and one-on-one counseling close to $6,900.
Is Passion Prep considered reputable?
Yes, it’s run by Julie Kim (USC and Harvard alum) and has many student success stories, though independent third-party reviews are harder to find.
Does PassionPrep.com guarantee college admission?
No, they don’t guarantee acceptance, and that’s the ethical stance since no consultant can promise results.
Is Passion Prep a legit company?
It’s legit. Passion Prep is an established admissions consulting service with paid clients, free resources, and public success stories. That said, independent review volume isn’t huge, so compare offers and ask pointed questions before you buy.